Illuminating device and support therefor



Dec. 12, 1961 co 3,012,801

ILLUMINATING DEVICE AND SUPPORT THEREFOR Filed Nov. 21, 1958 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Dec. 12, 1961 R. COLE 3,012,801

ILLUMINATING DEVICE AND SUPPORT THEREFOR Filed Nov. 21, 1958 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR Dec. 12, 1961 R. COLE ILLUMINATING DEVICE AND SUPPORT THEREFOR 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Nov. 21, 1958 INVENTOR P5X U045 BY 7 'fgz ATTO E.

United States Patent ()fifice 3,012,801 Patented Dec. 12, 1961 3,012,801 ILLUMINA'I'ING DEVICE AND SUPPORT THEREFOR Rex Cole, 3110 Central Park W., New York, N.Y. Filed Nov. 21, 1958, Ser. No. 775,553 2 Claims. (Cl. 287-58) This invention relates to illuminating devices and more specifically to a new and improved electric lamp and stand therefor and comprises an improvement of the inventions illustrated in US. patent applications Serial No. 565,053, now abandoned and 670,272, now Patent No. 2,902,592.

The lamp in accordance with the invention is particularly useful as a reading and Working lamp and is arranged and designed to facilitate ready adjustment of the lamp to meet the needs of the user and at the same time affords a device that is characterized by its ease of assembly, durability and simplicity. It further includes improved means for maintaining the lamp socket and switch elements at relatively low temperatures during extended operations, while providing a combination by which the entire structure can be readily taken apart for repair and replacement of component parts.

A further object and advantage of the invention resides in the provision of a novel and improved stand utilizing telescopic elements for adjusting the height of the lamp relative to the base. Telescoping elements are provided with an improved arrangement for frictionally gripping one element relative to the other, in order to hold the element in any desired adjusted position and yet permit displacement of the elements for the purpose of adjusting the height of the lamp.

The above and other objects of the invention will become more apparent from the following description and accompanying drawings forming part of this application. I

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a lamp in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view of the lamp shown in FIGURE 1 and taken generally in the plane 22, FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a cross sectional view of FIGURE 2 taken along the line 33 thereof;

FIGURE 4 is a vertical cross sectional view of the lampshade and socket assembly of the lamp of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 5 is a cross sectional view of FIGURE 4 taken along the line 5-5 thereof;

FIGURE 6 is a perspective view of a heat shield shown in position on the lamp socket in FIGURE 4.

FIGURE 7 is a cross sectional view of an improved shade and support structure;

FIGURE 8 is a detail upper horizontal sectional view of the same in the plane s s, FIGURE 7;

FIGURE 9 is a vertical cross sectional detail View of the telescopic stand members illustrating an alternative form of the clutching means;

FIGURE 10 is a fragmental horizontal detail view of the clutching means in the plane 10'-10, FIGURE 9;

FIGURE 11 is a fragmental detail elevation of the alternative form of clutching means in dis-assembled position, and

FIGURE 12 is a bottom view of the same.

The lamp in accordance with the invention includes a base 10, a lamp stand 11 having telescopic members 12 and 13, a socket support and enclosure 14 and a shade 15. The tubular member 13 forming part of the stand 11 is adjustable vertically relative to the lower tubular member 12 and includes means for frictionally holding it in position to avoid the need for auxiliary mechanical clamping devices.

The novel and improved frictional means for holding the telescopic tubes 12 and 13 in any desired adjusted position is illustrated more clearly in FIGURE 2 and functions not only to hold the tubes in a predetermined vertical position, but also permits angular adjustment of the tubes within predetermined limits. In theinstant embodiment of the invention the friction gripping means permits angular adjustment of the upper and inner tube 13 through an angle of slightly less than degrees so that the entire lamp, including the base 10, need not be turned in order to adjust the position of the lamp which includes the elements 14 and 15 housing the light source.

More specifically, the lower tube 12 forming part of the lamp stand is threadably received and secured in a collar 16 that is welded or otherwise secured to the center of thebase It In the instant embodiment of the invention the base 10 includes a depressed portion 17 in which the collar 16 rests and a weld or fillet 18 secures the collar 16 in place. -On opening 19 in the depressed por- 12. The lower end of the tube 13 has a pair of diametrically opposed and aligned apertures 21 and 22 for the accommodation of the friction clutch which includes the buttons 23 and intervening compression spring 24, these apertures having inwardly dished rims 21a and 22a respectively. More specifically, each of the buttons 23 includes an enlarged shoe portion 25 having a cylindrically curved surface 25 for engagement with the inner surface of the tube 12 and a convex inner surface 2oz: conforming substantially to the contours of the dished rims 21a and 22a. A narrowed shank 27 extends inwardly of the head portion 25 and includes an angular groove 28. The compression spring 24 engages each of the shanks 27, the outermost coils on the ends of the spring engaging the angular depressions 28 to secure the buttons to the ends of the spring. The thickness of the heads 25 of the buttons 23 is adjusted so that the buttons are slightly narrower than the spaces between the telescopic members 12 and the dished surfaces of the rims 21a and 22a, and the spring 24 is provided with suflicient strength to force the buttons 23 outwardly in firm contact with the inner wall of the tube 12. The buttons serve a further purpose 'gaged position by means of a cup-shaped collar or cap 29 that is threadably secured tothe upper end of the tube 12 as illustrated in FIGURE 2. The cap 29 houses a cylindrical bushing 3! that bears against the top edge 12 of the tube 12 and is held in place by the inwardly formed lip 31 on the cap 29. The bushing 30 further includes a narrowed portion 32 extending upwardly between the lip 31 of cap 29' and the outer surface of the tube13 so that the latter cannot contact and be abraded by the cap 29. The internal diameter of the bushing 30 is adjusted. so that the bushing will slidably engage the tube 13 and offer little, if any, friction to its movement so that the friction which supports the tubes 12 and 13 is afforded substantially entirely by the action of the clutch buttons 23, as previously described.

v The tube 12 forming part of the stand 11 further includes a longitudinal trough or indentation 34 extending from a point spaced from the upper end of the tube 12 downwardly a distance greater than the effective length of the telescopic tube portion 13. This indentation will be observed more clearly in FIGURE 3 and cooperates with the clutch assembly including the buttons 23 to limit rotation of the tubes 12 and 13 to an angle somewhat less than 190 degrees. This prevents twisting of the cord 20 and yet aifords substantial latitude in angular positioning the lamp including the elements 14 and 15. The uppermost position of the tube 13 relative to the tube 12 is determined by a cylindrical collar 35 within the upper portion of the tube 12. This collar extends downwardly to meet or at least partially overlap the upper end of the trough 34 and thereby prevent the clutch members 23 from being moved to a position where they will be out of engagement with the trough 34. The collar 35 also limits the uppermost portion of the tube 13 so that a sufiicient distance will be maintained between the clutch and the bushing 30 to obtain the desired rigidity of the lamp when in the uppermost position.

The electric cord 29 which extends through the opening in the base 157 includes a coiled section 20' to permit lengthening and shortening of the cord within the lamp stand so that the lamp may be raised and lowered without disturbing the cord at the point of entrance into the base 10. The cord is held in a fixed position relative to the base 10 by a plug 36 having cord gripping means 37 which snugly engages the cord and holds it firmly to the base 19. A second strain relief gripping device 38 is secured to the cord at the point of entrance into the tube 13. This grip centers the cord and prevents any possible contact of the cord with the edges of the tube 13. The cord 20 then extends upwardly from the strain relief grip 38 along side the spring 24 as may be observed in FIGURE 3 and then upwardly for connection with the lamp socket to be described.

The lamp stand, in accordance with the invention and as described above, affords a highly improved device that is easily adjusted both vertically and horizontally and yet will maintain the adjusted position. This is accomplished without mechanical clamping devices or other means for securing the tubular members 12 and 13 in position and the utilization of known metallic friction members bearing against the inside of the tube 12 prevents abrasion of the tube and also affords smooth and dependable operability. Wear on the friction members 23 will be negligible. Moreover, this clutching system, while affording dependable and readily adjustable clutching means for the tubes 12 and 13, is also characterized by its simplicity, low cost, and ease of assembly.

The lamp structure consisting of the socket assembly 14 and the shade 15 is shown more clearly in FIGURES 4, and 6. The socket assembly 14- includes a conical receptacle or housing 40 that is open at the top and has a closed bottom 41 having a number of perforations 42 therein. The socket device generally denoted by the numeral 43 threadably receives the lamp 44 and includes a switch assembly operated by the knob 44. The switch assembly is contained within the socket and the socket is mounted to the bottom wall 41 by a threaded tube 45 and a cooperating nut 46. The switch operating shaft is denoted by the numeral 47 and is rotated by the knob 44. The upper portion of the socket 43 has a section 43 of reduced diameter for receiving and supporting a heat shield 48. This heat shield is shown more clearly in FIGURE 6 and surrounds a portion of the narrowed neck of the lamp 44.

More specifically, the heat shield 48 includes a conical body part 49 terminating at the bottom as viewed in FIGURE 6 in a short segmentally divided cylindrical sections 50 defining an inside diameter adapted to receive the section 43, on the socket 43. The sides of the conical and cylindrical sections 49 and 50, respectively, have outwardly extending portions 51 which form air passages or fiues for the movement of air upwardly through the shield 48 and about the lamp 44 as denoted by the arrows in FIGURE 4. When the shield 48 is in position with the lamp 44 as shown in FIGURE 4, air will move upwardly through the openings 42 in the bottom wall 41 with the socket 43 and then upwardly through the tube-like members 51. Air will also circulate upwardly between the shield 48 and the conical housing 40. In this way, the heat generated by the lamp 44 is carried upwardly away from the socket housing 40 so that the latter will remain cool even after extended periods of operation. Utilization of the shield and its extensions slightly above the upper end of the housing 40 will intercept radiant heat and the tubular portions 51 act as fins in the air stream so that the heat absorbed by the shield will be effectively removed by the flow of air.

The shade 15 includes a central conical portion 50 and an outwardly flared portion 51. The conical portion 50 has a top opening 52 and surrounds the upper portion of the lamp 44. The shade is supported by a bracket having three equally spaced upwardly extending members 53, each having an outwardly formed section 54 forming a seat for the support of the shade as shown in detail in FIG- URE 7. The upper ends of the bracket are secured to a ring 55 which holds the upper ends of the bracket 53 in predetermined spaced relationship for supporting the shade 15. The upper ends of the members 53 extend above the ring 55 to form tabs 56 which engage the outer corner of a downwardly directed groove 57, the groove being formed by a downwardly turned lip 58 in the top of the conical shade portion 50.

The members 53 are proportioned to the shade 51 with sufficient accuracy that the shade receives steadying support both from the upper tabs 56 and the outwardly extending sections 54. Further lateral support is afforded by engagement of the members 53 with the lower interior of the conical shade portion 50 at points 59, as shown in FIGURE 7. The members 53 have a degree of radial resilience, and may further be so proportioned that when the shade is pushed into place on the bracket structure, the three members are flexed slightly inward, thus providing a close frictional wedging or clamping grip at the three points 59.

It will be evident that the above-described structure provides a combination which is readily assembled and dis-assembled, but in which the shade when in place is firmly held against rattling and accidental displacement even in case the fixture is tipped at a substantial angle.

In the form of the stand combination shown in FIG- URES 9 to 12, the clutching means consists of a semisleeve or arcuate shoe 69 which fits snugly in the recess between the inner and outer tubes 13 and 12. This shoe is a composite of an outer frictional portion 60a of a strong but resilient material, preferably a plastic such as nylon or the high density polyethylene known commercially as Grex, with an inner metallic backing spring 60b, and is secured at its center-line of its normal state the composite shoe 60 has a slightly greater outer radius of arm than the inner radius of the tube 12, so that prior to the assembly of the inner tube 13 in the outer tube 12 the two sides of the shoe assume an outwardly sprung cantilever position as shown in FIGURE 12. When installed, the sides of the shoe are sprung inward to fit the Interior cylindrical surface of the outer tube 12 while wrapping snugly about the inner tube 13 throughout an arc of substantially more than degrees, as shown in FIGURE 10.

By the above combination it will be evident that the outward resilient pressure of the shoe 6% on the inside of tube 12 provides an effective frictional clutching eliect both vertically and rotationally, while the snug wrap of the shoe about the inner tube 13 maintains concentricity between the tubes in all adjusted positions. As will be noted in the drawings, the shoe is of relatively great length in comparison to its diameter. This proportion is of importance, as it not only augments the above noted steadying and smooth clutching characteristics, but also permits the upper limit of vertical telescopic adjustment to take place directly between the upper edge of the shoe and the guide bushing 30, while still maintaining an effective length of the shoe in horizontal registry with the rotational stop indentation 34. To limit the rotational adjustment, the indentation 34 is engaged by one or the other of the ends 62 of the arcuate shoe. The arcuate gap between the shoe ends 62 is suflicient in the illustrated case to permit a swing of somewhat greater than '90 degrees. The relatively large area of frictional engagement of the shoe 60 in the tube '12, and the well-known durability'and non-abrasive qualities of nylon or the like, ensure smooth action in adjustment and long wear-free life.

It will also be evident that the combination of smoothness in the adjusting movement with the previously described firm retention of the shade 15 is highly effective in preventing accidental displacement of the shade.

While the invention has been set forth in preferred embodiment, it is apparent that various modifications, alterations and changes may be made without departing from the true spirit and scope thereof as embodied in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An adjustable support for an electrical fixture comprising an outer supporting tube, an inner tube telescopically disposed in said outer tube with longitudinal and rotational movements with respect thereto, said inner tube having an outside diameter materially smaller than the inside diameter of the outer tube to form a space therebetween, said outer tube having an elongated longitudinally disposed channel formed in the wall thereof to provide an inwardly extending ridge-like structure, a bushing carried by the upper end of said outer tube to slidably retain the inner tube in axial alignment with the outer tube and an elongated arcuate member having an angular Width exceeding degrees and less than 360 degrees carried on and embracing the inner end of said inner tube, said arcuate member being formed of resilient material and exerting outward pressure against the inner surface of the outer tube, the thickness of said arcuate member being slightly less than the space between the inner and outer tubes to form a lower stabilizing bearing to maintain the inner end of the inner tube in approximate axial alignment with the outer tube, said arcuate member further cooperating with said ridge-like structure to limit angular movement of the inner tube relative to the outer tube.

2. An adjustable support for an electrical fixture ac-.

cording to claim 1 including an inner metallic backing spring disposed between said arcuate member of resilient material and said innertube to urge said arcuate member outwardly.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,598,997 Wild Sept. 7, 1926 1,625,510 Tredwell Apr. 19, 1927 1,919,114 Ley July 18, 1 933 2,048,214 Howell July '21, 1936 2,409,075 Starck Oct. 8, 1946 2,518,282 Canady Aug. 8, 1950 

